Amish girl critical after being shot

MERCER — A 9-year-old Amish girl is in critical condition at a Pittsburgh hospital after police say a younger child picked up an unattended 12-gauge shotgun and shot her in the abdomen.

The girl was airlifted to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh after the shooting around 5 p.m. Saturday at a farm in Lackawannock Township, Mercer County.

Police say the girl’s father had been using the gun to hunt small animals and left it loaded near a pond while he fished and two children under the age of 5 played nearby.

Police say one of the younger children picked up the gun and fired off a round, striking the girl in the torso.

They’re calling the shooting a tragic accident. The investigation is continuing.

Rochester woman killed in house fire

ROCHESTER — A woman who uses a motorized scooter to get around has died after firefighters pulled her from a burning home.

Firefighters say the woman had been trapped by thick smoke and flames from the fire, which started around 10:45 p.m. Sunday in Rochester.

They say her dog, two cats and two birds also died.

A neighbor said that 57-year-old Elizabeth Goodwin had lived in the home for six years and was receiving help from visiting nurses.

Firefighters say she lived alone after family members moved out a few months ago.

The state police fire marshal is investigating the cause of the blaze.

Cemetery will add plots for veterans

BRIDGEVILLE — A national cemetery plans to add more than 10,000 burial sites for veterans.

Officials have proposed a 25-acre expansion to the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville. Cemetery director Ronald Hestdalen says it would add 6,500 burial plots and an above-ground tomb with room for 4,000 funeral urns.

Hestdalen says the proposal would ensure enough burial space for the next decade. Construction would begin at some point in the spring if the Department of Veterans Affairs approves the plan.

It’s unclear how much it would cost.

The site opened in 2005 and about 10,000 people are buried at the 292-acre cemetery. It’s one of three national cemeteries in the state with open burial space.

Video in fatal police shooting debated

HARRISBURG — The attorney for a police officer charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of a motorist following a traffic stop is trying to prevent the release of video from a camera mounted on a stun gun.

Authorities in Dauphin County allege that Hummelstown police officer Lisa Mearkle shot 59-year-old David Kassick twice on Feb. 2 in the back as he lay face-down.

District Attorney Edward Marisco Jr. called the video the strongest evidence in the case. Defense attorney Brian Perry says releasing the video would be inflammatory and could taint the jury pool.

Marisco said Saturday that he planned to show the video at a preliminary hearing if one is held today, but the defense had indicated that the hearing might be waived.

Woman dies after being punched

WARREN — Authorities in northeastern Pennsylvania have released the name of a woman who police said died after another woman punched her repeatedly in the face.

Warren County Coroner Jerry Borden identified the victim as 50-year-old Robin Ostrowski of Warren.

Police said Ostrowski was at a home in Warren on Thursday when she was punched numerous times in the face.

Twenty-seven-year-old Danielle Craker of Corry has been charged with homicide in the death. Investigators said drugs may have played a role in the dispute.

Police said the victim’s boyfriend was charged with reckless endangerment because they said he waited several hours before calling for help.